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<ul><li>Technology solutions like in-work systems enable <keyword id="18966" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="hotel" source="Orion">hotel</keyword> guests to use more self-service alternatives, significantly reducing staff responsibilities while enhancing customer satisfaction.</li><li>Leveraging tech tools has helped hotels direct employees towards urgent and high-priority activities that require personalised engagement and support.</li><li>Few hoteliers will forget 2020 in a hurry. With hotels forced shut, almost 40% employees lost their jobs while an equivalent number suffered salary cuts and furloughs, according to consulting firm HVS Anarock.</li></ul>Faced with a manpower glut, stringent social distancing norms, evolved guest expectations and massive drop in occupancy, hotel companies turned to technology to overcome these challenges. Samir MC, managing director of Fortune Park Hotels, a member of ITC Hotels Group, recalled how solutions like in-work systems, which enabled guests to use more self-service alternatives, significantly reduced staff responsibilities and enhanced customer satisfaction. "Mobile check-in and self-ordering technology in restaurants make it simpler to check into hotels without requiring one-on-one interaction from hotel staff. Moreover, frequent or foreseeable activities can be handled automatically, through the use of technology," he added. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Flagging off the digital journey" comment="subhead" text="Flagging off the digital journey">Flagging off the digital journey</cmsannotation> Besides digitalizing most of its communication and offerings to drive business, ITC Hotels undertook steps like QR code-enabled communication in rooms, digital menus and contactless payment options as it adapted to the new normal. In fact, QR codes for all collaterals, digital menus in restaurants, digital invoices, WhatsApp bot for guest interaction, and even a press reader for newspapers became par for the course. Hotel Manager <keyword id="127335" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="prashant-chadha" source="Orion">Prashant Chadha</keyword> recalled how The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake’s operations continue to remain tech-driven from the perspective of guest navigation, housekeeping and F&amp;B services. "Our keyless check-ins and QR codes at restaurants ensured the need for lesser staffing. However, going completely remote and tech-driven is not the objective; rather the focus is being tech-savvy in our operations while considerate of our guests’ needs," he added. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Customers sound the tech call" comment="subhead" text="Customers sound the tech call">Customers sound the tech call</cmsannotation> Stressing on creating a ‘digital advantage’ during the company's 2021 earnings call, IHG Hotels &amp; Resorts' CEO Keith Barr said, "This is vital to enabling a seamless technology experience across the guest journey, from driving direct bookings and creating integrated digital experiences for our guests to delivering revenue-enhancing solutions for our owners." In 2021, the company partnered with Josh.ai to pilot a voice-controlled smart room at California’s Kimpton Rowan hotel. Since occupancies were in single digits in early 2021, hotel companies concentrated on the events business, which had switched to the hybrid model. IHG partnered with <keyword id="15041118" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="weframe" source="Orion">WeFrame</keyword> for its ‘Meet with Confidence’ global programme, while Hyatt collaborated with Swapcard platform to debut ‘Together By Hyatt’ in April 2021. Raoof Dhanani, managing director at Sayaji Hotels, explains that most hotels also started using Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven chatbots with inbuilt booking engines to increase direct bookings and capture guest data at the same time. "It also sends automated emails, location, availability, quote and property images and videos to the guests as per their requirement," he noted. Having tasted the fruits of technology, <keyword id="183920" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="marriott-international" source="Orion">Marriott International</keyword> went a step further and launched the Marriott Design Lab at its Bethesda headquarters this January. Rather than work in isolation to accelerate the development and deployment of new technologies, it collaborated with companies like Carrier and LG to optimise HVAC efficiency in modular hotel designs, adding more vendors to this list. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Out with the old" comment="subhead" text="Out with the old">Out with the old</cmsannotation> After a long journey, contemporary hotel guests often want to grab a shower and a meal rather than engage with hotel staff. A Skift study titled 'Hospitality in 2025: Automated, Intelligent and More Personal' found that 73% travellers want to use their mobile device to manage their hotel experience, including checking in and out, paying, ordering food, and more. Aware that fulfilling these needs, or at least meeting it halfway, is key to winning guest attention and thereby their loyalty, hoteliers are increasingly mindful of their tech investments. A first mover, Marriott, for instance, rolled out IoT services as early as 2018, signing up to Amazon's Alexa for Hospitality room assistant technology to allow voice control functionality to be installed in guestrooms. Integrating IoT technology gives guests the power to customise their room settings, including lighting, temperature and curtains. Moreover, since employees can remotely monitor the performance of in-room devices, it means lesser staff on the floor. Additionally, hotels can conserve energy costs by turning off heating or air conditioning when the room is unoccupied. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="An eye on the cost" comment="subhead" text="An eye on the cost">An eye on the cost</cmsannotation> By leveraging technology, hotels can direct a lean workforce towards urgent and priority tasks that require personalised engagement and support, thus easing their workload. Moreover, it can simplify their HR procedures, reduce expenses and also boost revenue generation by cross-selling services. Imagine visiting the hotel's spa and getting a discount on a healthy breakfast the next day! Chadha believes that the more efficient the processes, the less time is wasted, which reduces costs and increases productivity and revenue. "As compared to 2019, our operating costs have gone down, with a significant rise in efficiency. This has happened by streamlining tasks and improving our overall quality and reliability," he states. However, these tech deployments come with a caveat – don’t lose the human touch. <keyword id="1417520" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="rohit-pandey" source="Orion">Rohit Pandey</keyword>, Hotel Manager of Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru notes that while technology and automation help bring better efficiency, the service industry cannot operate without the human touch or interaction and personalisation. "Whilst designing the standard operating procedures for the hotel and planning on technology; we smartly adapt systems to smoothen guest journeys. All human touch points remain intact or are enhanced with technology’s adaptation," he emphasised. The hospitality industry traditionally underinvested in technology, spending less than 5% of their net room revenue. However, digitalisation is now on every hotelier's mind. Using it mindfully will help them create a frictionless guest experience and bring down operating costs while navigating the labour shortage, making it a win-win situation for all. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/tata-investment-corporation-stock-almost-doubled-investors-money-in-just-six-months/articleshow/94336887.cms">This Tata group stock doubled investors money in just six months</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/snack-maker-annapurna-swadishts-sme-ipo-is-subscribed-by-190-times/articleshow/94332255.cms">Snack maker Annapurna Swadisht’s SME IPO is subscribed by 190 times</a>

Saving costs, managing manpower, enhancing guest experience: The various ways technology is helping the hospitality industry

<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Tata+Communications&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Tata Communications</a> is now holding hands with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Hewlett+Packard+Enterprise&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Hewlett Packard Enterprise</a> (HPE) in order to support the roll-out of the <keyword id="4169440" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="LoRa-network">LoRa network</keyword>. 
 
According to an exchange notification, the company will also work with HPE to provide a range of domestic and cross-border IoT connectivity and management services, particularly for applications requiring elements of mobility, such as connected cars, fleet management and transportation services. 
 “As part of our commitment to innovation and in driving digital transformation globally, we are creating a cohesive, resilient and highly secure network to deploy IoT applications in India," Anthony Bartolo, president, Mobility, IoT and Collaboration Services, <keyword id="6370462" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tata-Communications">Tata Communications</keyword>, said regarding the partnership. 
 LoRa is a <keyword id="757465" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="wireless-communication">wireless communication</keyword> technology that is dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT) / Machine to Machine (M2M) communications network and provides for a network that is a low-power, secure, bi-directional which organisations can use to connect objects. 
 
Reportedly, Tata Communications plans to expand its LoRa network to 60 cities by the end of 2017. 
 
The project would involve connecting devices, applications and other IoT solutions over the LoRa network in smart buildings, campus, utilities, fleet management, security and healthcare services in nearly 2,000 communities, covering over 400 million people where the first phase of the roll-out targets Tier 1, 2, 3 and 4 cities in India.

Tata communication partners with HP to roll out a wireless communication technology-LoRA network

<ul><li>Shares of <keyword id="1061730" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Himachal-Futuristic-Communications">Himachal Futuristic Communications</keyword> have surged significantly by 497% from March 2020.</li><li>The largest provider of WiFi solutions says the disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic have increased the demand for home and industrial internet of things (IoT) devices and applications.</li><li>HFCL’s profit after tax grew to ₹90.69 crore in June quarter as compared to ₹21.34 crore in corresponding quarter last year. </li></ul>While the pandemic slowed business for sectors like aviation, automobile, and hospitality, some sectors related to information technology enjoyed a boost due to the digital transformation demand. Himachal Futuristic Communications (HFCL) is one such company that benefited enormously from the heightened demand for internet devices. The technology enterprise company manufactures high-end transmission and access equipment, optical fibre and optical fibre cables used in WiFi portals and creating communication networks for telecom service providers, railways, defence, and smart city and surveillance. In fact, it is one of the largest providers of WiFi solutions. Also, the company is likely to be a big player in 5G telecom services. The disruptions caused by the pandemic have increased the demand for home and industrial internet of things devices and applications, said the company in an investor presentation. The company has already shipped 1.5 lakh units of wi-fi and ultra broadband radio to leading telecom service providers in FY21. In fact, under Bharat Net phase II project, wi-fi, infrastructure, electronics and optic networks brings out an ₹40,000 crore opportunity for the company <div type="image" title="HFCL profit revenue" height="900" width="1200" msid="84470091" hostid="261"></div> The company serves technological equipment and services to Reliance Jio, Tata, Airtel, Vodafone, Nokia, BSNL, Larsen &amp; Toubro, Bharat Petroleum, Indian Oil and many more. It has also been working with the government under the Prime Minister WiFi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) project to provide internet access to every nook and corner of the country. “Initiative by Indian government like BharatNet, which is the world's largest optical fiber-based rural broadband connectivity project, growing usage of wifi connection in home segment, provision of production linked incentive scheme (PLI) by the government, approval of 5G spectrum plans has amplified the company’s operations,” said Mahendra Nahata, managing director of HFCL in a financial report statement. <div type="image" title="HFCL stock" height="900" width="1200" msid="84470137" hostid="261"></div> At 2:52 p.m., the stock was trading 2% higher at ₹ 80.40. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/angel-broking-shares-surge-as-rising-awareness-among-investors-turns-in-favour-of-the-stock-broker/articleshow/84469007.cms">Angel Broking shares surge 20% as rising awareness among investors turns in favour of the stock broker </a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/tatva-chintan-pharma-chem-ipo-should-you-subscribe-to-the-ipo-check-out-analysts-review/articleshow/84464187.cms">Tatva Chintan Pharma Chem IPO -- Should you subscribe? Here’s what analysts are saying </a>

An investment of ₹10,000 in HFCL stock in March last year is worth ₹60,000 now

<keyword id="6354616" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Twitter">Twitter</keyword> has removed former <keyword id="460944" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Malaysian-Prime-Minister">Malaysian Prime Minister</keyword> Mahathir Mohamad's controversial tweet glorifying violence even though France is demanding suspension of his account on the social media platform. The former Malaysian PM sparked an uproar when he said on Thursday that Muslims have a "right to be angry and to kill millions of French people". Twitter has removed the tweet saying that it violates the platform's rules. Earlier, Twitter allowed the tweet to stay "in the public interest". France's junior digital affairs minister Cedric O on Thursday night said he had a word with Twitter's Managing Director in France and called for the immediate suspension of Mahathir's official account. "If not, Twitter would be an accomplice to murder," the minister said on social media platform. Just a few hours after another French person was beheaded by an "Allah hu Akbar" sloganeering terrorist in France, Mahathir in a series of tweets on Thursday strongly justified the violent reaction of Muslims to the Charlie Hebdo caricatures of Prophet Mohammad. The former Prime Minister of Malaysia warned France, "Since you have blamed all Muslims and the Muslims' religion for what was done by one angry person, the Muslims have a right to punish the French. The boycott cannot compensate the wrongs committed by the French all these years." In the rest of his Twitter thread, he expressed disdain for the Western culture. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/kepler-estimates-there-are-at-least-300-million-potentially-habitable-planets-within-the-milky-way-galaxy/articleshow/78946863.cms">Kepler estimates there are at least 300 million potentially habitable planets within the Milky Way galaxy</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/mit-has-a-new-ai-model-that-can-detect-asymptomatic-covid-19-patients-just-by-the-using-the-sound-of-their-coughs-recorded-over-phone-calls/articleshow/78927475.cms">MIT has a new AI model that can detect asymptomatic COVID-19 patients just by the using the sound of their coughs recorded over phone calls</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tata-communications-executive-explains-how-iot-is-expanding-beyond-manufacturing-and-which-sectors-are-showing-the-fastest-growth/articleshow/78924587.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Tata Communications’ IoT head explains how COVID is driving the next wave of Internet of Things</a>

Twitter will be an 'accomplice to murder' if it does not suspend Mahathir's Twitter account, says France after hate tweet

<keyword id="6409600" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="PUBG-MOBILE">PUBG Mobile</keyword> and <keyword id="6788542" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="pubg-mobile-lite">PUBG Mobile Lite</keyword> will no longer work for gamers in India starting from Friday, the company has announced. <keyword id="6151051" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tencent-Games">Tencent Games</keyword>, that owns the mobile game, said on <keyword id="6354576" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="facebook">Facebook</keyword> that it "deeply regrets this outcome" and thanked PUBG Mobile and PUBG Mobile Lite fans for their support in India. The company said on Thursday that "protecting user data has always been a top priority and we have always complied with applicable data protection laws and regulations in India. All users' gameplay information is processed in a transparent manner as disclosed in our privacy policy". The announcement came on the back of the Indian government's decision to ban PUBG Mobile and PUBG Mobile Lite on September 2. The game was banned under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. <keyword id="9900533" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="pubg-corporation">PUBG Corporation</keyword> recently announced that they are withdrawing their partnership with Tencent, and that they will work with the Indian government to look for a quick resolution. PUBG game, which has more than 600 million downloads and 50 million active players globally, has nearly 33 million users in India. PUBG Mobile saw a global revenue gain of $1.3 billion (roughly Rs 9,731 crore) in the first half of this year, bringing its lifetime collection to $3 billion (nearly Rs 22,457 crore) with the highest number of downloads in India which ranks at the top with 175 million installs as people stayed home owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. Additionally, the Indian gaming company nCore announced indigenous multiplayer action game FAU-G to fill the void of PUBG Mobile. FAU-G is slated to launch next month. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/kepler-estimates-there-are-at-least-300-million-potentially-habitable-planets-within-the-milky-way-galaxy/articleshow/78946863.cms">Kepler estimates there are at least 300 million potentially habitable planets within the Milky Way galaxy</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/mit-has-a-new-ai-model-that-can-detect-asymptomatic-covid-19-patients-just-by-the-using-the-sound-of-their-coughs-recorded-over-phone-calls/articleshow/78927475.cms">MIT has a new AI model that can detect asymptomatic COVID-19 patients just by the using the sound of their coughs recorded over phone calls</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tata-communications-executive-explains-how-iot-is-expanding-beyond-manufacturing-and-which-sectors-are-showing-the-fastest-growth/articleshow/78924587.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Tata Communications’ IoT head explains how COVID is driving the next wave of Internet of Things</a>

PUBG Mobile and PUBG Mobile Lite cease operations in India just ahead of Halloween

<ul><li>Halloween this year will occur on the same night as the Full Blue Moon for the first time since the second world war. </li><li>Even though the Full Blue Moon is supposed to fall on the same day every 19 years, the lunar cycle shifted after 1944, so that it fell on November 1 instead of October 31.</li><li>This is the first time in 76 years and the Full Blue Moon will fall on October 31 yet again.</li></ul>Pop culture may make it seem like every Halloween is a Full Moon with werewolves jumping out of the shadows. However, that isn’t usually the case — except for this year. In 2020, for the first time since World War II, a Full Blue Moon will grace the night sky on the eve of Halloween. This is the second Full Moon to show up in October — the first time being the Harvest Full Moon on October 1. <div type="image" title="blue moon" msid="78950894" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The two Full Moons in October&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> October has 31 days and the average time between Full Moons in 29.5 days so a Full Blue Moon is technically supposed to occur on the same date every 19 years. However, since 1944 the cycle had shifted and the Full Blue Moon was occurring on November 1 in some of the world, according to the <a href="https://www.farmersalmanac.com/blue-moon-supermoon-2020-104546">Farmer’s Almanac</a>. Now that the difference has caught up, for the first time in 76 years, Halloween will fall on the same night as the Blue Moon again simultaneously across the world. <keyword id="10190355" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="What-is-halloween">What is Halloween</keyword>? Halloween wasn’t always Halloween. The origins can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain — a civilisation that lived nearly 2,000 years ago — during which people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off the spirits. It was only in the eighth century that Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Saints Day, and the evening before — October 31 — was dubbed All Hallows Eve. Modern-day activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, or setting up haunted houses only came into the picture much later. Even though Halloween in 1963, 1982 and 2001 did not have a Full Blue Moon — the one in 2039, 2058, 2077, and 2096 will be luckier as per the 19-year pattern. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/kepler-estimates-there-are-at-least-300-million-potentially-habitable-planets-within-the-milky-way-galaxy/articleshow/78946863.cms">Kepler estimates there are at least 300 million potentially habitable planets within the Milky Way galaxy</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/mit-has-a-new-ai-model-that-can-detect-asymptomatic-covid-19-patients-just-by-the-using-the-sound-of-their-coughs-recorded-over-phone-calls/articleshow/78927475.cms">MIT has a new AI model that can detect asymptomatic COVID-19 patients just by the using the sound of their coughs recorded over phone calls</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tata-communications-executive-explains-how-iot-is-expanding-beyond-manufacturing-and-which-sectors-are-showing-the-fastest-growth/articleshow/78924587.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Tata Communications’ IoT head explains how COVID is driving the next wave of Internet of Things</a>

The Full Blue Moon haunting of Halloween returns after 76 years — and here's why it was silent since World War II

A US court has asked <keyword id="285457" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Antrix">Antrix</keyword> Corporation, the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation, to pay compensation of USD 1.2 billion to a Bengaluru-based startup, <keyword id="406024" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Devas-Multimedia">Devas Multimedia</keyword>, for cancelling a satellite deal in 2005. As per the agreement in January 2005, Antrix agreed to build, launch and operate two satellites and to make available 70 MHz of S-band spectrum to Devas, which the latter planned to use to offer hybrid satellite and terrestrial communication services throughout India. The agreement was terminated by Antrix in February 2011. Over the next several years, Devas approached various legal avenues in India. This included the Supreme Court, which directed for a tribunal. In his order dated October 27, Judge Thomas S Zilly, US District Judge, Western District of Washington, Seattle, ruled that Antrix Corporation pay a compensation of USD 562.5 million to Devas Multimedia Corporation and the related interest rate amounting to a total of USD 1.2 billion. In its lawsuit filed in the US District Court, Western District of Washington in September 2018, Devas Multimedia said three separate international tribunals and nine different arbitrators have found the termination of the Devas-Antrix agreement to have been wrongful, with one of the tribunals describing it as "conduct 'which shocks, or at least surprises, a sense of juridical propriety,'" and another finding it to be "a clear breach of simple good faith" by India. Antrix, in November 2018, had sought the dismissal of the lawsuit citing jurisdictional issues. The court, however, asserted that it had jurisdiction over the issue, but stayed the matter for one year and asked the two to file a joint status report by April 15, 2020. On July 16, 2020, both Devas and Antrix filed the instant motion, a Joint Status Report in which they disputed whether the court should lift or extend the stay, and, if the latter, whether Antrix be required to post security. Devas, according to submissions, has argued that the US court has jurisdiction over these cases, as Antrix engages in business in this district and across the United States. Antrix and Spaceflight Industries, which is headquartered in Seattle have an agreement to provide satellite launch services using India's PSLV rocket. Antrix and RBC Signals LLC, which is headquartered in Redmond, Washington have a worldwide agreement to provide space communications services to satellite operators. Antrix in 2018 launched a satellite for Redmond, a Washington-based Planetary Resources. Antrix agreed in 2015 to launch two satellites for Colorado-based PlanetiQ. Antrix is contracted with DigitalGlobe, which has headquarters in Colorado and other locations in Florida, Virginia and Washington to procure certain satellite data, which is then distributed by the Indian Space Research Organisation's National Remote Sensing Centre. Devas said that after the initial signing of the agreement, the two companies performed in good faith for five years. Among other things, in May 2009, Dr Appanna Bhaskarnaryana, the Director of the Satellite Communications Programme Office of <keyword id="6358064" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="isro">ISRO</keyword>, spent four to five weeks in the US with Devas personnel meeting with Hughes Networks, Sirius XM SkyTerra, Qualcomm and ICO North America to understand the technologies used by, and operation of, hybrid satellite-terrestrial operators providing telecommunications services. Devas subsequently conducted experimental trials in India (attended by Antrix officials, including the company's then chairman), Chengdu and Beijing in China, and Stuttgart in Germany, which successfully demonstrated the hybrid satellite-terrestrial systems and end-user terminals that Devas had developed in conjunction with a global network of leading technology players such as Alcatel Lucent, it said. On February 25, 2011, Antrix issued a termination notice to Devas, which among other things stated that the policy decision was of the central government, acting in its sovereign capacity is the event of force majeure, which was an occurrence on February 23, 2011. "The scope and duration of the said decision cannot be anticipated. It is likely to be indefinite. It is not possible for Antrix to take any effective step to resume the obligations under the agreement," Antrix said. Devas disputed Antrix's repudiation of the agreement and sought to conduct discussions among senior management as contemplated by that agreement. In June 2011, Devas commenced arbitration proceedings under the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. Antrix initially refused to participate in the arbitration and obtained an injunction from the Indian Supreme Court enjoining the arbitration. After one year, the Supreme Court lifted the injunction, allowing the arbitration to proceed. Thereafter, Antrix participated fully in the arbitration. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/kepler-estimates-there-are-at-least-300-million-potentially-habitable-planets-within-the-milky-way-galaxy/articleshow/78946863.cms">Kepler estimates there are at least 300 million potentially habitable planets within the Milky Way galaxy</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/mit-has-a-new-ai-model-that-can-detect-asymptomatic-covid-19-patients-just-by-the-using-the-sound-of-their-coughs-recorded-over-phone-calls/articleshow/78927475.cms">MIT has a new AI model that can detect asymptomatic COVID-19 patients just by the using the sound of their coughs recorded over phone calls</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tata-communications-executive-explains-how-iot-is-expanding-beyond-manufacturing-and-which-sectors-are-showing-the-fastest-growth/articleshow/78924587.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Tata Communications’ IoT head explains how COVID is driving the next wave of Internet of Things</a>

US court asks ISRO's commercial arm to $1.2 billion compensation to Bengaluru start-up for cancelling a satellite deal

<ul><li>After the 42nd <keyword id="6355199" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="reliance-industries">Reliance Industries</keyword> Limited (RIL) Annual General meeting yesterday, the company's stocks at trading at an 11% high today.</li><li>Chairman of RIL, <keyword id="3820" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mukesh-Ambani">Mukesh Ambani</keyword>, announced the upcoming launch of <keyword id="4056036" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jio-Fiber">Jio Fiber</keyword> and its many features which has left its competitors in a lurch.</li><li>As a result, companies like Airtel, Tata Communications, PVR cinemas and Vodafone Idea are trading in the red.</li></ul>Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) saw the biggest intraday rise in its share price today driving shares up by 12% and taking the benchmark indices like Sensex and Nifty along with it. Nearly half of all stocks on these indices are in red but heavyweight Reliance alone has managed to keep mood afloat. The spike in RIL's share price has put it back in the race of becoming the highest valued Indian company trailing behind Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) by $1 billion. However, RIL's gains have come at a huge loss for many of its competitors in many different sectors. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/highlights-of-mukesh-ambani-speech-at-reliance-industries-agm/articleshow/70638299.cms">Chairman Mukesh Ambani's speech</a> laid out his vision for the company and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/reliance-jio-fired-up-as-mukesh-ambani-joins-hands-with-satya-nadellas-microsoft-to-challenge-jeff-bezos-in-india/articleshow/70641754.cms">every plan</a> of his came as a threat to one existing company or the other. Given its size, scale, its pile of cash and Ambani's deep pockets, anyone competing with Reliance Industries is expected to have a tough time. Jio Fibre, the frontier Ambani announced that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/reliance-jio-gigafiber-launch-heres-what-it-will-offer-consumers/articleshow/70630655.cms">Jio Fiber</a> will be launching commercially starting 5 September 2019 with plans that start at ₹700 with a minimum speed of 100 Mbps. Jio's competitors, Airtel and Vodafone Idea, are already feeling the pressure with their stocks taking a dip when the markets opened today morning. But both Airtel and Vodafone Idea have more to fear than just Jio Fibre. The Aramco energy Jio's mobile phone services has about 340 million subscribers as of now. Ambani is targeting to take this number to over 500 million over the next few months. That would mean Jio will remain an aggressive player in the market and that's bad news for other players like Airtel and Vodafone Idea. Given that RIL is getting additional cash from Aramco and BP, and if it becomes a zero net debt company by March 2021, the company of its size and scale will only have more money to muscle out other players with its aggressive pricing. Other telcos are already in deep trouble after having fought Jio in the market for nearly three years with higher discounts, funded by higher debt. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Stock </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Impact </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Airtel </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">-5.28% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Vodafone Idea </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">-6.54% </td></tr></tbody></table> Movie theaters feel the heat Ambani also announced that the Jio Fiber service will also include a feature called ‘<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/reliance-jio-fired-up-as-mukesh-ambani-joins-hands-with-satya-nadellas-microsoft-to-challenge-jeff-bezos-in-india/articleshow/70641754.cms">First Day First Show</a>'. Essentially, you'll be able to watch a film at home, the same time as it releases in theaters. <a href="https://twitter.com/INOXMovies/status/1161139021994758145">Inox</a>, responded to Ambani's announcement by stating that multiplex owners have exclusive theatrical window of eight weeks before a movie can be released on any other platform. Something, they point out, that is followed internationally. "We strongly believe that Indian move watchers' love for cinema on giant screen is deep rooted and unshakeable," the company said. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Stock </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Impact </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">PVR </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">-4.10% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Inox Leisure Limited </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">-4.11% </td></tr></tbody></table> And, then there's television The Jio Fiber service will come bundled with a 4K LED television and a set top box for premium customers. Ambani also said that he will throw in OTT subscriptions at no additional cost. So, it's your OTT services, cable services and broadband along with new devices — all wrapped into one. That would dwarf the current offerings from companies like Tata Communications, the company behind Tata Sky, and Dish TV. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Stock </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Impact </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Tata Communications </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">-4.3% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">Dish TV </td><td style="border-left:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-right:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;border-top:solid #cccccc 0.7470705000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;">-3.21% </td></tr></tbody></table> See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/The-Indian-rupee-is-falling-fast-and-there-are-both-winners-and-losers/articleshow/70652166.cms" style="">The Indian rupee is falling fast-- and there are both winners and losers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mukesh-ambani-plans-to-connect-a-billion-devices-on-his-iot-platform-and-hes-not-only-talking-about-light-bulbs/articleshow/70643115.cms">Mukesh Ambani plans to connect a billion devices on his IoT platform — and he isn't only talking about light bulbs</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/highlights-of-mukesh-ambani-speech-at-reliance-industries-agm/articleshow/70638299.cms">Mukesh Ambani's speech at the Reliance Industries AGM had ten big takeaways</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/reliance-jio-fired-up-as-mukesh-ambani-joins-hands-with-satya-nadellas-microsoft-to-challenge-jeff-bezos-in-india/articleshow/70641754.cms">Reliance Jio fired up as Mukesh Ambani joins hands with Satya Nadella’s Microsoft to challenge Jeff Bezos in India</a>

The best day for Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries in a decade was a bad one for its rivals

<ul><li>The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a new AI model that detects <keyword id="9140539" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="asymptomatic-covid-19-patients">asymptomatic COVID-19 patients</keyword> by analysing the sounds of their coughs. </li><li>The long term plan is to make this AI model accessible on a large scale by incorporating the model into a user friendly app.</li><li>The AI model uses four algorithms to run its analysis and is able to accurately identify 98.5% of coughs from people who were confirmed to have COVID-19 and detected those who didn’t have any symptoms but tested positive with 100% accuracy.</li></ul>The COVID-19 patients who exhibit no symptoms (are asymptomatic) are harder to trace because they don’t know they are sick. However, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (<a href="https://news.mit.edu/2020/covid-19-cough-cellphone-detection-1029">MIT</a>) may have found a way around that using artificial intelligence (AI). MIT’s new AI model can detect who may be carrying the virus, even without any discernible physical symptoms, just by hearing the way a person coughs. The salient differences between the cough of a healthy person and that of one who may be unhealthy is not discernible to the human ear but can be picked up by AI. “Things we easily derive from fluent speech, AI can pick up simply from coughs, including things like the person’s gender, mother tongue, or even emotional state. There’s in fact sentiment embedded in how you cough,” explained co-author Brian Subirana. The long term plan is to make this accessible on a large scale by incorporating the model into a user friendly app. If it receives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, MIT hopes it can be a free, convenient, and non-invasive screening tool for coronavirus. MIT’s AI model detects asymptomatic COVID-19 patients with 100% accuracy The study, published in the IEEE Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology, used forced-cough recording, submitted by people voluntarily submitted through web browsers, smartphones, and laptops. Using this information, the AI model was trained using tens of thousands of coughs and spoken words. At the end of the experiment, it accurately identified 98.5% of coughs from people who were confirmed to have COVID-19. And detected those who didn’t have any symptoms but tested positive with 100% accuracy. An AI-model backed by four algorithms The AI model is a combination of three machine learning (ML) algorithms or neural networks. ResNet 50 can discriminate between sounds that are associated with different degrees of vocal cord strength. The second ML algorithm was trained to distinguish between different emotional states evident in speech. While certain tones may indicate frustration, others indicate happiness. The final and third neural network is a database of coughs that can discern changes in lung and respiratory performance. All three of these models were combined and one last algorithm was overlaid to filter all analysis and detect muscular degradation. The results showed that together — vocal cord strength, sentiment, lung and respiratory performance, and muscular degradation — were effective biomarkers for diagnosing the disease. “The sounds of talking and coughing are both influenced by the vocal cords and surrounding organs. This means that when you talk, part of your talking is like coughing and vice versa,” explained Subirana. This research was supported, in part, by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tata-communications-executive-explains-how-iot-is-expanding-beyond-manufacturing-and-which-sectors-are-showing-the-fastest-growth/articleshow/78924587.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Tata Communications’ IoT head explains how COVID is driving the next wave of Internet of Things</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/isro-is-set-for-its-first-launch-of-the-2020-on-november-7/articleshow/78926817.cms">ISRO's first launch of 2020 will carry 10 satellites aboard its PSLV workhorse rocket on November 7</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/largest-contact-tracing-app-aarogya-setu-in-the-world-comes-under-the-scanner-as-developers-refuse-to-answer-questions-around-its-creation/articleshow/78912462.cms">India's contact tracing app Aarogya Setu comes under the scanner again — three departments fail to explain their role in its development</a>

MIT has a new AI model that can detect asymptomatic COVID-19 patients just by the using the sound of their coughs recorded over phone calls

<ul><li>Global technology companies <keyword id="6355629" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="google">Google</keyword>, <keyword id="18635" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword>, <keyword id="6354616" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Twitter">Twitter</keyword>, and <keyword id="6354576" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="facebook">Facebook</keyword>, remain apprehensive about India’s new data laws after being questioned by India’s <keyword id="74228" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Joint-Parliamentary-Committee">Joint Parliamentary Committee</keyword> (JPC) on the Personal Data Protection Bill this week.</li><li>The only indigenous company to be called for deposition for far, Paytm, told the committee that it’s open to regulation.</li><li>All these companies have been given one week to prepare formal responses and submit affidavits. </li></ul>India’s Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has been questioning Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, Google, and even Paytm over concerns regarding data protection and data privacy. The JPC may also <a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/india/parliamentary-panel-to-meet-airtel-on-data-protection-bill-11603966666145.html">reportedly</a> summon India’s top two telecom giants, <keyword id="6354504" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="reliance-jio">Reliance Jio</keyword> and <keyword id="15491" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airtel">Airtel</keyword>, and cab-hailing services, Uber and Ola, next week. While Paytm has welcomed India’s new Personal Data Protection Bill, Google, Twitter, and Amazon have shown some restraint. Google’s response may have been more positive than the others, but it does not imply its undivided support. The consultation process is meant to increase the country’s understanding of how these companies use, store and mobilise data, according to the JPC’s chairperson Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Meenakshi Lekhi. <div type="image" title="googleplus_edited" msid="78949846" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Google&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Google Google’s representatives asserted that the Personal Data Protection Bill, once enacted, would strengthen the framework around data privacy and security in India. However, the global tech giant maintained that the move to localise data isn’t in the best interests of data protection and data privacy, according to the <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jpc-questions-google-paytm-over-china-links/story-fJcEdDh2hyWSwvzyLVr0CJ.html">Hindustan Times. </a>Google highlighted that localization of data would be at odds with open trade and modern-day data protection standards. It submitted a 25-page report arguing its stance. However, it held no sway with the committee. The JPC questioned Google over its relationship with China — and the Chinese Navy in particular. It was also asked about its market control when it comes to the smartphone market since more than 90% of smartphones manufactured worldwide use Google’s Android platform as their operating system. Considering the mountain-high revenues the company generates in India, Google was asked if it thought the effective tax rate it paid was ‘absurdly low.’ Google evaded some questions and was unable to answer others. The head of the committee, Meenakshi Lekhi, has instructed the international giant to submit a detailed affidavit in one week. “They themselves are the platforms, sellers, and news agencies. And Google itself has the control button to which information will come first, which will come later or which news will flash and which will be suppressed. So how it can be a neutral platform?” Lekhi told PTI after the meeting. <div type="image" title="facebook" msid="78949862" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Facebook&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Facebook Facebook saw the exit of its public policy head in India, Ankhi Das, just a few days after her deposition. Das was grilled for two hours by the JPC on Monday and asked some tough and searching questions by the panel members from across the political spectrum, sources told PTI. According to the social media giant, India’s new data protection laws can propel the country’s digital economy and global digital trade. “We believe that India’s data protection law has the potential to propel the country’s digital economy and global digital trade, and we wholeheartedly support this effort,” said the company’s spokesperson. <div type="image" title="amazon" msid="78949879" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Amazon offices in India&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Amazon Amazon had earlier come under fire for declining the JPC’s invitation to appear because the company claimed it did not have anyone with the relevant expertise to address the committee’s concerns. However, yesterday, both Amazon India and Amazon Web Services showed up, according to <a href="https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/amazon-appears-before-joint-parliamentary-committee-following-misunderstanding-7327321.htm">CNBC TV-18.</a> The company claimed that the entire episode was a ‘misunderstanding’ due to international travel restrictions given the coronavirus pandemic. Amazon was questioned over its revenue model and how much tax it pays in India. And, since India is a considerable part of its revenue generation, the committee also questioned the company over how it reinvests back in the country. The JPC has asked Amazon to submit its answers in writing in one week. <div type="image" title="twitter 2 unsplash" msid="78949889" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Twitter&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Twitter Ahead of being questioned by the JPC, the social networking giant issued an apology for showing Leh as a part of China. The committee had earlier asked Twitter to submit a public apology and submit an affidavit regarding the issue. “Leh being shown as a part of China can be construed as an act of treason and is punishable with unto seven years of imprisonment,” Lekhi told <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/act-of-treason-parliament-panel-slams-twitter-on-leh-map-fiasco/story-kBG0bJcSHp2bQQblA1gbCJ.html">Hindustan Times</a>. “The committee was unanimous in flagging the issue and expressed its stern disapproval.” Twitter also came under fire for its practices regarding hate speech and taking down on accounts. According to PTI, Lekhi believes that Twitter may have a little too much control. ”Shadow banning, banning policy… there is no clarity about it. Such actions are very subjective... Twitter is becoming a law unto themselves, and under these circumstances, they are violating Article 19 of the Constitution about the freedom of expression,” she said. <div type="image" title="paytm" msid="78949896" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Paytm&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Paytm Paytm is the only indigenous company to have been summoned by the JPC so far. And, it went to the panel with its solution. Paytm pitched that the government should handle the encryption and decryption of data held by global companies while letting data cross borders. However, the proposal was quickly withdrawn after several objections by some of the members of the committee, according to <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/parliamentary-panel-question-paytm-about-chinese-investment-google-over-resisting-data-localisation/articleshow/78942848.cms">Times of India.</a> The Vijay Shekhar Sharma-led enterprise was asked about the quantum of Chinese investments it has received and why some of its revenues were directed back to China. It was also probed for details behind the temporary removal of its app from Google Play Store for violating its ‘gambling’ policies. Paytm acknowledged that 35% of its investment was Chinese but that investors don’t have any say in how the company is run. They also clarified that while some personal and sensitive data may be transferred outside India for ‘processing,’ this only occurs when there is explicit consent from the user. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/kepler-estimates-there-are-at-least-300-million-potentially-habitable-planets-within-the-milky-way-galaxy/articleshow/78946863.cms">Kepler estimates there are at least 300 million potentially habitable planets within the Milky Way galaxy</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/mit-has-a-new-ai-model-that-can-detect-asymptomatic-covid-19-patients-just-by-the-using-the-sound-of-their-coughs-recorded-over-phone-calls/articleshow/78927475.cms">MIT has a new AI model that can detect asymptomatic COVID-19 patients just by the using the sound of their coughs recorded over phone calls</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tata-communications-executive-explains-how-iot-is-expanding-beyond-manufacturing-and-which-sectors-are-showing-the-fastest-growth/articleshow/78924587.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Tata Communications’ IoT head explains how COVID is driving the next wave of Internet of Things</a>

Google, Amazon, Twitter, and Facebook remain apprehensive about India’s new data laws but Paytm is open to regulation

<ul><li>India's former telecom regulator Pradip Baijal has explained how India has had trouble managing its spectrum roll out for next-gen communications technology over the last few decades.</li><li>The latest in this telecom - 5G - is also facing similar hurdles in India, with the government yet to finalise guidelines and announce auction of airwaves.</li><li>He also explained how different use-cases of 5G are relevant and important to India - from the point of view of consumers as well as the industry.</li></ul>India always had problems in dealing with spectrum. We wasted valuable wireless spectrum for fixed line services in 1995, unlike any other country, after the erroneous decision that expensive mobile phones were not for the poor Indians. The decision was reversed in 2004, but led to a lot of inspired criticism by mobile incumbents. Earlier, the government approved a Convergence Bill in 2001, for more efficient use of spectrum, but was not approved. The government/regulator, therefore, approved a Unified Access License in 2004, reduction in interconnect charges and tariff forbearance. But, it took inefficiently long to bring in these changes (it had to be done in stages, by many regulatory efforts). Unified License reduced tariffs 50 times, but increased government revenues. Mobile numbers growth immediately increased 10 times, and gradually 200 times, three times ever the leader, China. 3G spectrum auctions were efficient later, though delayed, and showed the huge loss in 2G allocation and crony capitalism involved, the basis of the CAG report. The allocations led to litigation and differing and controversial judgments by the Supreme Court/CBI Court, the issue still remaining open, but this was one of the issues on which the UPA lost heavily to NDA, in the ultimate court of elections in 2014. 4G auctions were conducted efficiently, even though they were delayed, and now we have come to 5G auction issues, with an ET news item commenting, "India is set to miss the '5G bus' following the lack of preparedness, unavailability of sufficient spectrum, absence of encouraging use cases, and uncertainty around radio waves sale for the next generation of telecom services." This is despite India appointing A.J. Paulraj (winner of the Marconi Prize) Committee to give the recommendations to the steps required. They gave the report in mid-2018, and despite giving the schedule, we have not moved fast. In the past, Prime Minister Modi-led government maintained that it "won't afford to miss 5G bus" like in the case of 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies that were deployed in India way later than many countries, thus losing the many early user advantages. 5G and India Before we discuss, let us understand the nature of use of 5G. For a layman, 5G is just next generation wireless infrastructure which will provide them voice and data services. However, it will impact much more due to its bit-level intelligence characteristics. 5G will provide an array of network intelligence which will get translated into precise and demand-led resource allocation. 1G came in 1980s and provided basic voice services, 2G in 1990s and enabled voice and SMS services due to its digital standards, 3G came in 2000s and introduced data services along with voice and SMS that enabled multimedia services. 4G pure IP network, came in 2010s, and enabled the application services and partially merged the telecom and information technology which gave boom to platform services. The architecture of 5G is designed to handle the connection of billions of devices including industrial machines with seamlessness and reliable data transfer with much faster speed. 5G is not only about high speed boost but it is about the intelligence at the bit level and low latency which will make it the foundational tech for multiple new tech., including self-driven cars, AR &amp; VR, telemedicine, robotic surgery, powering future smart cities, IoT, m2m, AI and manufacturing. 5G will change the future war fighting too due to increased situational awareness to increase the command and control of the battlefield. Once these networks come, 2G and 3G networks can be abolished, like in other countries for better overall spectrum utilization. We have not started. Industrial revolutions and change It has been shown that industrial revolutions change the world. Hirschman had said that these revolutions occur every 70 years. This was proved in IR 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0. The US and the West's GDP went up five to six times in IR 1.0 &amp; 2.0, while India and China went down 10 times (colonial loot was also the reason). Growth reversal with IR 3.0 But IR 3.0 changed the world with the technology being on a connected net and with globalization, available to the Third World (right from the beginning). Of course, the US helped China a lot post 1980, in technology dispersal, and helping China with accelerated WTO membership in 2001. This led to China growing eight times and India 2.5 times in a few years. IR 4.0 and 5.0 The world is now moving to the fourth and the fifth industrial revolutions in quick succession. Providentially, these revolutions are also happening on the same wire or wireless lines as in IR 3.0, and we have bright Indian minds working in the digital sector like Nadella, Pichai, Arvind Kuar, Banga, Tata, Kohli, Nilekani, Narayana Murthy, Patni, Soota, Premji, and millions of others located in Silicon Valleys around the world. The most exciting additions to the list are Mukesh Ambani, Sunil Mittal and Kumar Mangalam Birla. They have kept the mobile sector alive despite crony capitalism, and given the appropriate ambience, should do very well now. Through them, and despite Covid, the world has shown confidence in the Indian economy. China should do well because of enormous investment, past technology thefts, uninhibited US support till 2015, and R&amp;D. The fifth IR will happen with IT getting connected to human minds (AI and beyond). IR 5.0 having reached the human mind, perhaps cannot move beyond, and the 6th IR has to be in another area, maybe the planets, as visualized by Jeff Bezos. Again, India is well-placed. Creating an appropriate environment is the key. Role of private sector It may also be recalled that the 2G rollout had created strong private sector companies and from 10 per cent private network, it had gone to 80 per cent (though the public sector had grown too). Later, despite crony capitalism, they had survived, and are today, India's main hope to take us forward. With 5G networks being more powerful, they will surely impact GDP growth much more than the earlier generation networks and move the country towards Namo's $5 trillion economy in 2024. Fiscal pressure on the government - we can ill-afford to ignore: We are today also hit by Covid, huge bank NPAs, financial crisis, fiscal deficits and fall in investments. 5G rollout is an opportunity for huge network (and downstream) investments by existing private sector companies and their networks all over the country, without putting any fiscal deficit pressure on the government. I had, therefore, anticipated in my China book and articles, that the present is 'providence' for India, like it was 'providence' for China in the 80s with an imaginary 'cold war'. Pricing issues A word about pricing here - our entire 2G revolution came after tariff forbearance, and liberal availability, connectivity and regulatory reforms. Obviously, once 5G revolutions get moving, the disruptions would be higher. Indian economy/GDP did well during IR 3.0, its DNA being more IT-centric, demonstrated by high growth in these sectors during some periods of IR 3.0, when regulations were right (2004 to 2010), particularly vis-a-vis China, and also the Indian minds being more IT-centric, demonstrated by the success of IT (software) and mobile revolutions. World digital economy In 2019, the world celebrated the first full year when more than half of the world (51.2 per cent, or 3.9 billion people) had begun to participate in the global digital economy by logging onto the internet, from almost zero a couple of years back. The world is turning fully digital, and networks converging very fast. China has touched 840 million subscriber base and will be 1 billion at the end of 2020, with superior speed, whereas India has only touched 600 million broadband subscribers. The world will thus transform itself to a form that during IR 4.0 and 5.0 the versatile 4 and 5G networks will be more valuable than all other infrastructure, like roads, rail and air transportation systems etc. Looking at the future, China has created companies which are leading in 5G, AI, quantum computing and other digital products and shaping up the digital behaviour of the people because they are deploying networks faster and learning by doing it. China is also leading in the standardization and patents of the digital ecosystem, manufacture of equipment etc. In contrast, the Indian 5G process is yet to commence (allocation of spectrum and installation of 5G equipment), though we have done extremely well despite late start in the past. India can grow in IR 4.0 given its human capital pool, the start in the use of algorithm prowess and an established IT hub, only if we install 4G and 5G systems adequately. But expensive and presently unviable (for India, since IR 4.0 and 5.0 industries and services have not started) 5G systems are likely to come in slow. Also, the spectrum and equipment prices are anticipated to be high. Unless both spectrum and equipment prices are low and heavily backloaded, I do not see India coming out of the jigsaw puzzle, and not falling back severely in the digital war. And if we miss India's turnaround moment, India's vast market and trained manpower will be used by advanced countries to develop 5G / IR4.0 and 5.0 networks fast. The Paulraj Committee recommended that 5G will mature between 2019 and 2024. India should take lead and become an innovator in 5G applications. (Pradip Baijal is former Secretary, Disinvestment and former Chairman, TRAI. This article is in continuation of his book, Containing the China Onslaught, published by Quadrant, and available on amazon.in and walmart, and further to a review of China's growth in Defensive Offence) <div type="Youtube" id="gFmRP3whXmU" title="Pradip Baijal Explains History of China's Economic Rise." thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gFmRP3whXmU/mqdefault.jpg"></div>

India's former telecom regulator shows how much India is lagging behind in the 5G pursuit

Remember <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Nokia">Nokia</a>? The company that gave us... 
 
<a href="http://myphonebook.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/nokia-5190.jpg">Image Source</a> 
and you be like...I'm ready for World War III! 
 
<a href="https://aruberusan.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2012/10/nokia-7.jpg">Image Source</a> 
Their phones could survive anything. Literally, anything! 
 
<a href="http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/nokia-phone-andyclymer.jpg">Image Source</a> 
Well, you know what, it’s changed! 
 Now it calls itself, “A global leader in the technologies that connect people and things. With state-of-the-art software, hardware and services for any type of network, <keyword id="6354716" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Nokia">Nokia</keyword> is uniquely positioned to help communication service providers, governments, and large enterprises deliver on the promise of 5G, the Cloud and the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Internet+of+Things">Internet of Things</a>.” 
 
What! This can’t be real. I don’t care. 
 
With the beautiful PR lady constantly reminding the ‘new <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Nokia">Nokia</a>’ and the ‘old <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Nokia">Nokia</a>’ are different, Business Insider sat down with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Sandeep+Girotra">Sandeep Girotra</a>, VP and Region Head India at <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Nokia">Nokia</a> to hurl the most ‘phone’ey questions. 
 
(Aside) Tell me you’ll bring a cheap and sturdy phone. Just like the good ole days. *Sob* 
 
Any plans to enter the smartphone market? 
If at all, it’ll be through the brand licensing route. Unless there is something disruptive, we’re not going in there. 
 
Oh…there was news that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Nokia">Nokia</a> is manufacturing its first flagship smartphone. 
I repeat, if we enter the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=smartphone">smartphone</a> market, it’s got to be through the brand licensing route only. 
 
No plans for an <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Android+smartphone">Android smartphone</a>? Sure? 
None I’m aware of. 
 
Are you sad <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=WhatsApp">WhatsApp</a> will roll back compatibility for Symbian S40 and S60? 
I’m completely incompetent to answer that question. We’re very clear that we have very strong network orientation as a company. 
 
Your CEO said the company will invest heavily on 5G. If you could elaborate. 
We have the lead in 5G. It’s an enabler for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Internet+of+Things">Internet of Things</a>, and we’ve displayed many great solutions at <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=MWC+2016">MWC 2016</a>. 
 
Does the word ‘India’ figure anywhere in your 5G plans? 
India does figure in the 5G scheme of things. It actually plays a major role. We have it as a market and in terms of R&amp;D. We have a part of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Internet+of+Things">IoT</a> Lab here in Bangalore. 
 
Telcos are investing heavily on 4G. What have you done? 
Our <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=R%26D">R&amp;D</a> facility in Bangalore is a part of the global integrated to the global ecosystem. We’ve filed a lot of patents from here. We also manufacture <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=4G+equipment">4G equipment</a>. 
 
What have you done to tackle <keyword id="6395111" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="call-drops">call drops</keyword>? 
We manage our networks to tight specifications. We’re mandated to align with certain key indicators. They’re tightened at a certain frequency. 
 
We continue to do our best to use the limited spectrum to maximum capacity and pack in more capacity to ensure there’s no blockage and call drops. 
 
We also help operators at sites where there is no coverage. That way <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=call+drops">call drops</a> are reduced. 
 
Any plans with Jio? 
We continue to talk to all the operators in the country, and around the world. We talk to Airtel, Vodafone,Jio, idea, Tata, Aircel, and everyone in between. 
 
 Image Source: Indiatimes

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